Immolated Elan gets a full rebuild
BARRY DAVISON’S 1967 LOTUS Elan S3, which was extensively damaged in a fiery incident in the Historic Sports Car Club’s Road Sports Championship finale at Silverstone last October, is now “fighting fit” again following an extensive rebuild by Ricketts Racing in Hertfordshire.
Davison’s Elan was hit by Andy Shepherd’s Lotus 7 at Becketts on the opening lap.
“He was extremely lucky not to damage the chassis,” said Ricketts Racing’s Mike Loughlin, who has repaired it with Paul Brimmer.
“The tail was torn off by the impact, which took the fuel tank with it, but the entire rear suspension was bent and the brake discs broken.
“The size of the explosion was quite sobering, with 20 litres of fuel, but we’ve taken steps to ensure that it won’t happen again. The new [ATL] safety cell has a lanyard attached to a dry-break coupling. If the tank goes it will seal. We’ll now do that on all the Elans we build.”
The Historic Road Sports season starts at Donington Park on April 7-8.